How To Create Healthy Work Environments: A Guide for Empowered Employees

• Employees play a crucial role in advocating for organizational change that emphasizes workplace wellness.
• Rather than looking at iterative or individual-need-based mental and physical health interventions, employers can have the most impact by addressing environmental factors on the whole.
• Recommendations include maintaining optimal air quality thresholds, optimizing ambient noise levels, ensuring proper lighting conditions, and moderating office temperatures –– all environmental stressors on the brain and the body that influence creativity, productivity, and innovation.

Want to hear more of Erin McDannald’s insights? Listen to her episode of the Allwork.Space Podcast where she addresses strategies for productivity and well-being.

Evidence continues to mount in support of the truth that a healthy workforce is necessary to support a healthy business. Each year American companies lose around $500B in productivity because of poor worker health, Forbes research shows.

Employers may recognize the importance of attracting a wellness-minded workforce, but may not understand the immense impact of addressing the environmental factors in the office itself. In today’s dynamic work environments, employees also hold a pivotal role in advocating for conditions conducive to health and productivity.

Here are some key factors leaders and workers should prioritize to create an optimal work environment.

Indoor Air Quality: A Foundational Aspect of Health

Workplace wellness begins with attention to the subtle indicators of environmental quality.

Symptoms such as fatigue and headaches, often attributed to the demands of work, may signify suboptimal indoor air quality.

Symptoms such as fatigue and headaches, often attributed to the demands of work, may signify suboptimal indoor air quality.

Maintaining consistent monitoring is essential, with recommended thresholds for Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) below 500 parts per billion (PPB) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels below 800 parts per million (PPM) to foster a conducive atmosphere for health and productivity.

Efforts to improve air quality extend beyond awareness to advocate for effective air circulation within the workspace. Integration of fresh air solutions into HVAC systems and the introduction of portable air purifiers can invigorate indoor atmospheres, enhancing overall well-being.

Understanding the cognitive impact of CO2 levels underscores the importance of continuous monitoring to keep levels below 900 PPM. Implementing structured breaks during extended meetings can also mitigate the cognitive effects of prolonged exposure to elevated CO2 levels. 

Attention to particulate matter, especially in areas frequented by vulnerable populations, is crucial. Routine air quality checks are recommended to mitigate the influence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), with efforts aimed at maintaining levels below 50 micrograms per square meter. 

The Influence of Ambient Noise, Lighting, and Temperature

Beyond air quality, ambient noise significantly impacts productivity. Optimizing noise levels between 60 to 80 decibels fosters an energetic yet focused work environment. One effective practice is the designation of quiet zones that can accommodate undisturbed work and concentration. 

Lighting plays a critical role in creating a comfortable and productive workspace. Advocating for lighting conditions below 4000 Kelvin ensures optimal illumination that aligns with diverse tasks and daily rhythms.

Optimal lighting reduces eye strain while improving focus and giving employees a more positive work environment. 

Optimal lighting reduces eye strain while improving focus and giving employees a more positive work environment. 

Temperature moderation is essential for workplace comfort and efficiency. Consensus on maintaining office temperatures between 68 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit balances individual preferences with energy efficiency considerations.

Space Utilization for Enhanced Workplace Well-being

 Business leaders should also consider their space utilization and its impact on worker wellbeing. Rethinking traditional workspaces allows employers to emphasize the importance of movement for mental alertness.

 This can encompass flexible workstations, standing desks and designated areas for active breaks that promote mobility and health.

Effective space utilization involves transforming underused areas into zones conducive to health, productivity, and comfort. When redesigned for wellness, these initiatives breathe new life into neglected spaces, fostering environments that inspire well-being. 

Wellness and environmental concerns are more important to employees today than ever before. Trends indicate that they will continue to advocate for improved environmental health standards and demand transparency from employers to facilitate ongoing improvements.

It’s on the employer to stay abreast of environmental health standards in the workplace and optimize the office environment for a greater standard of health.

It’s on the employer to stay abreast of environmental health standards in the workplace and optimize the office environment for a greater standard of health.

Prioritizing these factors is a collective effort toward enhancing workplace wellness and productivity. Each employee’s commitment to advocating for these changes contributes to a holistic improvement in the work environment, shaping a healthier and more prosperous professional landscape.